“Go to hell.”
She didn’t have enough strength to stop the blow.
Caleb backhanded her so hard Charlie flew to the side. Pain exploded in her skull, and the metallic taste of fresh blood hit her tongue. A shrill of agony tore from her throat as she hit the ground, landing on her injured shoulder.
She barely managed to roll onto her back. Sticks and clods of dirt dug deep into her skin as Caleb’s heavy weight straddled her.
“Oh, I’m sure I’ll go to hell, Charlie.” He smirked. “But, I’m going to send you there, first. And after that, I’m going to find your SEAL.” He leaned down so close his lips were almost touching hers. “And then I’m going to kill him, too.”
“No!” She tried to shout, but her voice sounded so weak to her own ears. Her breath stuttering, she pleaded with him. “Leave D-Derek...alone. P-please...Caleb.”
With the evilest sneer she’d ever seen, Caleb shook his head. “I always did love it when you begged. Too bad you’re begging forhim.”
His hands came around her neck. He began squeezing with so much force, she immediately saw stars. The pressure in her head was unbearable; each cut and bruise there throbbing to her frantic heartbeat.
Charlie tried to use her good hand to scratch at his face, but in her weakened state, her fingers did nothing more than swat feebly against his skin.
His features blurred from her tears, but she could still make out the sickening smile spreading across his face.
He’s enjoying this.Horrified, she watched as Caleb’s black pupils grew wide with arousal.
The bastard was actually getting off on her fear.
Her starved lungs burned with the need for air she’d never breathe again. Energy depleted, her left arm fell limply to the ground, and she knew.
It’ll be over soon.
Fighting back the only way she could, Charlie closed her eyes. As her tears fell down across her temples and onto the leaves and dirt below, she saw Derek’s face.
Ignoring Caleb’s screams for her to open her eyes again, she pictured Derek at his favorite spot on the beach, near the water’s edge.
He was dressed in a pair of faded jeans and one of his silly t-shirts. His striking blue eyes looked back into hers as the wind rustled through his hair.
And he was smiling.
God, I’m going to miss that smile.
In the privacy of her last thoughts, she told Derek one final time...I love you.
As her consciousness began to give way, Charlie felt the warm water splashing against her face as Derek hollered out her name.
****
